Provided by John Bybee - from "The History of McDonough County, Illinois--Volume I"

Original Tennessee School Building Sketch

Courtesy of John Bybee - "History of McDonough County, Illinois". S.J. Clark., 1878

The History of Tennessee High School

Tennessee (Illinois - population 144) is located in western McDonough County on U.S. Route
136 approximately 10 miles southwest of Macomb. The At & St Railroad runs through town.

It is believed Tennessee High School was established in the late 1800s. The year of its deactivation is
not known. A guess would be in the late 1940s, but this could be incorrect. The year 1948 pops up again bet is
not verified. Tennessee continued to offer a grade school (grades 1 - 5) for the town and surrounding country
kids. The grade school closed in 1956 after Colchester built a new grade school in their town.

The students of Tennessee attended school as part of the Colchester school system after the Tennessee deactivation. The students of Tennessee now attend West Prairie High School in Sciota. The grammar school students attend
school in Colchester. The fate of the original Tennessee High School building is also needed.

Tennessee School History

Supplied by John Bybee

Tennessee High School Quick Facts

Year opened:
late 1800s

Year closed:
possibly 1948?

Year Grade School closed: 1956

School nickname: the
"Tigers"

School colors: unavailable

School Fight Song: unavailable

Athletics

The Tennessee High School Tigers offered boys basketball and probably track and baseball. This information is needed
to be shared with others. Though not mentioned on the IHSA web site as winning "state" hardware, we are told the Tennessee
Tigers had some excellent teams over the years. If you have this knowledge please take the time to write us and
share this information with others. The efforts and accomplishments of the former alumni and townspeople who made this
high school succeed should never be forgotten.

Can You Help Us Out?

Please share your knowledge of the Tennessee School System with us. You can see there are many gaps to be
filled. Let's fill in the blanks before the many great memories are lost forever. Please write to us at ihsgdwebsite@comcast.net or via real mail at:

Illinois HS Glory Days

6439 N. Neva St.

Chicago, Il. 60631

Tennesse Vintage Photos

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)

Tennessee Train Depot

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)

Tennessee Vintage Photos

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)

Tennessee Vintage Photos

Photos by Gerald White, Submitted by John Bybee (left click on photo for enlarged version)